103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2023 and 2024
SB2374

 

Introduced 2/10/2023, by Sen. Kimberly A. Lightford

 

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 
105 ILCS 5/2-3.196 new

    Amends the School Code. Provides that, subject to appropriation, the State Board of Education shall establish a competitive grant program to support the development or enhancement of computer science programs in the K-12 schools. Provides that eligible entities are regional offices of education, intermediate service centers, State higher education institutions, schools designated as laboratory schools, and school districts. Provides that approved entities shall be responsible for ensuring appropriate facilities are available and educators are appropriately trained on the use of any technologies or devices acquired for the purposes of the grant. Sets forth requirements to use the grant, renewal provisions, and rulemaking.


LRB103 28096 RJT 54475 b

 

 

A BILL FOR

 

SB2374LRB103 28096 RJT 54475 b

1    AN ACT concerning education.
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3represented in the General Assembly:
 
4    Section 5. The School Code is amended by adding Section
52-3.196 as follows:
 
6    (105 ILCS 5/2-3.196 new)
7    Sec. 2-3.196. Computer Science Equity Grant Program.
8    (a) Subject to appropriation, the State Board shall
9establish a competitive grant program to support the
10development or enhancement of computer science programs in the
11K-12 schools. Eligible entities are regional offices of
12education, intermediate service centers, State higher
13education institutions, schools designated as laboratory
14schools, and school districts. Approved entities shall be
15responsible for ensuring that appropriate facilities are
16available and educators are appropriately trained on the use
17of any technologies or devices acquired for the purposes of
18the grant.
19    (b) Computer Science Equity Grant Program funds shall be
20used in the following manner consistent with application
21requirements established by the State Board of Education as
22provided in this Article:
23        (1) to expand learning opportunities in grades K-12 to

 

 

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1    ensure that all students have access to computer science
2    coursework that is aligned to rigorous State standards and
3    emerging labor market needs;
4        (2) to train and retrain teachers of grades K-12 to be
5    more proficient in the teaching of computer science by
6    providing professional development opportunities;
7        (3) to supply classrooms with materials and equipment
8    related to the teaching and learning of computer science;
9    and
10        (4) to more effectively recruit and better serve K-12
11    learners who are underrepresented in the computer science
12    labor market for enrollment in computer science
13    coursework.
14    (c) Computer Science Equity Grant Program funds shall be
15made available to each eligible entity upon completion of an
16application process that is consistent with rules established
17by the State Board of Education. The application shall include
18the planned use of the funds; identification of need for the
19funds that is supported by local, regional, and state data; a
20plan for long-term sustainability; and a long-term plan for
21continuous improvement.
22    (d) The State Board of Education shall adopt rules as may
23be necessary to implement the provision of this Article,
24including, but not limited to, the identification of
25additional prioritization areas for each competitive grant
26application cycle that are within the scope of the authorized

 

 

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1uses. Priority consideration for all applications will be
2given for proposals that intend to serve a majority of
3learners or teachers with gender or racial/ethnic identities
4that are underrepresented in the computer science labor
5market.
6    (e) Up to 2 renewals of the grant will be allowed,
7providing the entity awarded satisfactorily completes
8programmatic reporting and meets program objectives
9commensurate with application requirements set forth by the
10State Board of Education.
11    (f) Grants under the Computer Science Equity Grant Program
12and funding levels for satisfactory applications may be
13prorated according to the amount appropriated.